CPJ calls on Somaliland president to end press crackdown

President Ahmed Mohamoud Silyano
Office of the President
Hargeisa, Somaliland
(transmitted via email)

Dear President Ahmed Mohamoud Silyano,

We are writing to express our alarm over deteriorating
conditions for independent journalists in Somaliland. The Committee to Protect
Journalists has monitored 58 cases of journalist detentions by authorities since
the beginning of the year. We urge you to use your office to reverse this trend
of harassment and uphold your 2010 election campaign pledge to respect and
improve freedom of the press.

During a weeklong visit to your country in April alone, CPJ
documented the arbitrary arrests and brief detentions of reporters from Yool and Ogaal newspapers and broadcaster Royal
TV. These three cases are part of a broader pattern
of authorities arresting
journalists without
charge to block them from covering sensitive issues or as retribution for
past critical reporting. In the few cases where authorities have sought legal
charges, criminal defamation has been used where civil remedies should be
sought, according to the Somaliland Lawyers' Association. While these
detentions are often short-lived, they are sometimes brutal and always designed
to intimidate the press into silence. In February, police arrested online
reporter Mohamed
Abdirahman in the northwestern town of Borama and beat him so severely that
he had to travel outside the country for treatment, according to local
journalists and news reports. No officers were reprimanded for the attack and
no official charges were presented against the reporter, according to local journalists.
We urge you to call publicly for an investigation into the beating and to
ensure that those found responsible are punished.

While deeply concerned about detentions, we note with encouragement
pledges by your government to table this month the Broadcast Bill, which would
allow private radio broadcasters and a press ombudsman. A genuine parliamentary
review of this legislation, in consultation with media representatives, would
support your campaign promises to liberalize the airwaves and permit
independent radio stations.

Mr. President, the fair and credible elections that brought
you to power represented a momentous achievement for democracy in the region
and the continent as a whole. CPJ calls on you to set a further example by ensuring
that Somaliland's independent media are allowed to operate freely and without
intimidation.